Hunter Zinc is a custom-patinated zinc sheet offering a limestone-inspired tonality and a durable alternative to painted surfaces. Originally designed for the Hunter Museum in Chattanooga, Tenn., this preweathered material combines a variegated matte finish with lightweight versatility, making it ideal for facades, panel systems, and artistic designs. Its refined appearance seamlessly integrates into both contemporary and traditional architectural styles.
Hunter Zinc was originally developed for the iconic Hunter Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Original specifications called for a limestone exterior before this was deemed implausible due to limestone’s structural weight. A panel system featuring light gauge Hunter Zinc proved to be an excellent replacement for the limestone. Its variegated and matte appearance blend seamlessly with a variety of design aesthetics.
Hunter Zinc Manufacturing, Properties, and Applications
Hunter Zinc is a variegated material with naturally matte surface, featuring an organic variance from panel to panel. The result is a look that can function both for contemporary as well as historic aesthetics.
Close-up of Hunter Zinc sheet material.
Photo © A. Zahner Company
The first large-scale project to use the Hunter Zinc surface was the eponymous Hunter Museum in Chattanooga, Tenn. for Architect Randall Stout Architects. The same patina was later used on the Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
Patina vs. Paint
Surface patina should not be confused with paint. A patina is a mineralized oxide on metal that is self-limiting (rust, for instance, is not self-limiting because it will continue to eat through a surface). A patina is a reaction to the elements that in turn provides a protective barrier from the elements.
Hunter Zinc delivers longstanding quality, offering a durable and enduring alternative to painted surfaces.
How a Surface Patina Changes over Time
Left to its own devices, raw uncoated zinc will either grow lighter, or slowly darken over time depending on the environmental conditions. Under typical conditions, the patina color will darken over time. Zinc is a sophisticated material that ages with integrity not unlike the elegance of a copper patina. In environments with prolonged direct moisture, the outward face of the zinc may be susceptible to white-gray areas and streaks.
For best performance, the back face of the zinc material should not be exposed to moisture. If exposed to moisture attack from the reverse side, it may result in perforation/disintegration of the surface over time. This is why the back facing of zinc is sometimes covered with plastisol or a similar coating.
Manufacturing Patinated Zinc
Zahner’s zinc patinas are the result of twenty years of research and development with zinc patination. The development of stable patina on zinc requires a deep understanding of science, chemical compounds, diverse climatic conditions, and local atmospheric conditions.
One of the significant hurdles for producing zinc sheet metal with custom patinas is meeting the high standards for waste management and sustainability. Zahner runs an EPA certified facility for the production of patinas on zinc, copper, and weathering steel.
For more information about Hunter Zinc and preweathered patinas on zinc, or to specify the material in your next project, contact a member of the Zahner sales team.
